Prohibition vs. Marijuana Being Illegal

During the 1920s Alcohol was outlawed in the United States. It lasted for a short period of time before the prohibition amendment was repealed. Speakeasies were very active during the prohibition time, and many did not let the law change their daily alcohol intake. Alcohol was still widely available on the black market, no matter what restrictions the law made. Prohibition did not work then and it is still not working today with the war on marijuana. Marijuana is still being purchased everyday by millions of Americans. Since marijuana is illegal, people are having to come in contact with dangerous dealers who sell it illegally. These same dealers are the ones who are selling more detrimental drugs, putting the everyday marijuana user at a higher risk for being offered dangerous drugs. If people were allowed to grow it themselves then they would not have to risk their safety and health just to get marijuana. Another factor in the illegal selling and purchasing of marijuana is that it is not being taxed. If the government would legalize marijuana they could take in a substantial amount of tax money because of it. Walter Block spoke on the issue of legalizing marijuana and stated that "A free market in marijuana enhances economic welfare"(Block 144). The author of my article agrees with Mr. Block and goes on to say that especially while in an economic downturn like the one we are in, legalizing marijuana could be the factor to save the economy. Overall the author wanted to get across that prohibition did not last very long and once it was repealed the economy did do better. If legalizing marijuana would take place, we might again see our economy flourish.

This article to me focuses way too much on the economic side of the legalization debate. I feel that although the economy would do better, it is not looking into the best interests of the American people to legalize solely based upon that. Alcohol is not a new substance to Americans. It was not new during prohibition either. Because marijuana is a relatively new substance in America I think more research and studies should be done on it before it is legalized. There is always going to be people who break the laws and sell substances on the black market. Because marijuana has not been legal for a very long time in the U.S. and the country isn't falling apart because of the lack of it, i do not see it necessary to legalize marijuana...even from an economic standpoint.


Thornton, Mark. "Prohibition versus Legalization: Do Economists Reach a Conclusion on Drug Policy?." Independent Review 11.3 (2007): 417-433. Academic Search Elite. EBSCO. Web. 8 Apr. 2010.